Misano MotoGP: Danny Kent just misses Moto3 front row

British rider Danny Kent came close to clinching a fourth front row start in 2012 after he qualified fourth on the grid for tomorrow’s Moto3 clash at Misano.

The Red Bull KTM rider, who is being strongly linked with a switch to the Tech 3 Racing Moto2 squad in 2013, set a best time of 1.44.843 to miss the front row by just 0.253s.

Kent finished 0.642s behind team-mate Sandro Cortese, who secured his sixth pole position of the campaign with a best lap of 1.44.201.

Kent did well though to mount a front row challenge after an early crash when he lost the front of his Red Bull KTM at the second corner. Indianapolis winner Luis Salom and Brno victor Jonas Folger join him on the second row.

Joining world championship leader Cortese on the front row is home crowd favourite Romano Fenati, who clocked a best time of 1.44.571 in the best conditions of the weekend so far, as the sun finally broke through grey and gloomy skies that had dominated practice.

Completing the front row is Niccolo Antonelli, who races for the locally based Gresini squad.

He claimed his second front row start of 2012 with a best lap of 1.44.590.

Maverick Vinales faces a tough battle in tomorrow’s 23-lap race after he could only qualify in 11th position. The Spaniard set a best time of 1.45.230 to finish over a second off the pace set by German Cortese.

Cortese starts tomorrow’s race with a healthy 32-point lead over Vinales.

British rider Danny Webb will start from 26th on the grid after he logged a best time of 1.47.143 on the Mahindra machine.